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Victoria was made over to the Naval Authorities, I think it is not the course of carrying it in front of the Naval Ground, without the sanction of the Admiralty first obtained.
But the ground at Kowloon is differently affecting us from the road in front of it.
It was arranged, and this without any objection from Admiral Hope, Captain Superintendent, yourself, at any time.
I cannot therefore consent to a rearrangement of the whole plan after it has been formally agreed upon, and the road at Kowloon must be completed in its entirety.
The Praya in Victoria proves conclusively that no inconvenience whatever will be felt by the necessary military work at Kowloon and, as I have mentioned before, I believe that a plan might be submitted by which in the Hong Kong Yard the present facilities for boats, lighters, etc., would be perfectly retained.
I have, etc.,
[Signed] Hercules G. R. Robinson, Governor & Commander in Chief.
(True Copies)
For Mannin, the Colonial Secretary.